Friday, December 5, 2025 – Day 479

Friday, December 5, 2025


Good morning, everyone.

My neck has been giving me more and more trouble lately. I’ve tried PT, I’ve tried various neck braces, posture devices, pain-relief gels, Tylenol…basically, if Amazon sells it, I’ve probably ordered it. Nothing has brought real relief, and little by little I’ve found myself folding forward. At this point, when I walk, all I can see is the floor. If I want to know where I’m actually headed, I have to peek over the top of my glasses… and only for a second or two before gravity pulls my big fat head right back down.

I even started thinking about asking for stronger pain medication…maybe morphine…because the discomfort has become overwhelming. It’s reached the point where it felt debilitating, and something needed to change.

Yesterday afternoon, while Cindy was out, I heard a knock at the front door. Assuming it was Amazon, I ignored it. Bear did not ignore it…he was on high alert, barking his head off. Still, not enough motivation for me to tackle the obstacle course required to get to the door. But then I heard a tiny voice call out, “Mr. Andrew, are you home?” Well—that’s my cue.

So I lined up the walker, pushed myself upright, steadied the wobbles in my legs and grabbed the rollator. I slowly made my way to the front door. By the time I got there, I had to unhook Bear’s leash from the door handle, kick aside a few rogue shoes, unlock the deadbolt, and open the door without tipping over. Honestly, I figured whoever it was would have given up and left.

Standing on the porch was a petite young woman with a sizable case over her shoulder. “Are you Mr. Andrew?” she asked. I said yes.
“Hi, my name is Stephanie. I’m here to do PT.”

She explained that she was in the area and hoping to squeeze me in. I didn’t have any PT scheduled since my evaluation on Tuesday, and she was really pushing to get started since she’d already stopped by. I told her Cindy wasn’t home and I’d really like her to be part of the discussion. She said the soonest she could come back would be next week. That was fine with me, and off she went.

I made my way back to the couch, and five minutes later I heard the door again. Cindy called out, “PT is here!” And in walks… Stephanie.
 Looks like PT was happening after all. Stephanie sat down, pulled out her equipment, checked my vitals—because that’s what everyone does at every appointment—and we talked about my needs. Right now, I have one priority: what can you do to alleviate my neck discomfort?

She asked me to move my head around so she could see my range of motion. Once she understood my limitations, she had me tilt my head back as far as I could, then turn to the right and hold it. She asked Cindy to warm up a heat pack and place it on my neck to loosen the muscles. Then she had me put my arms in my lap while she gently pushed my shoulders down and back. We did this on both sides for just a few reps, and wow…I could feel the stretch along the front of my neck.

When we finished, the screaming neck pain I’d been dealing with all week had faded to a quiet whisper. Cindy looked at me and said I looked so much better…not nearly as bent over or curled up. I was honestly stunned by how different I felt. I know the issue isn’t fully resolved, but now I know what I can do to help it. And it’s a simple stretching exercise.

I may have been given this stretch months ago, either in OT or PT at the ALS clinic, and it might’ve gotten lost in the shuffle. But I’m grateful for a fresh set of eyes and someone willing to work with me. And the best part: PT is now coming to me. No more 3+ hours of driving.

I’ll be doing these stretches every day, and I’m hopeful the neck pain continues to fade.

Have a great Friday. Love you guys! ❤️

Photos of the kids enjoying sunny and tropical St Maarten. Looks like I’m missing a good time.